St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-12-01
FIRE IN PADDOCK VILLAGE.
Destruction of M. ]. Caldbeclk's CarPen-
ter Shop and Sash Factory.

| FIRE IN PADDOCK VILLAGE.
Destruction of M. J. Caldbeclk's CarPen-
ter Shop and Sash Factory.
NJ. j. Caldbeck's sash and blind fac
tory and carpenter shop with about all
it's contents on Concord avenue in
Paddock Village was destroyed by fire
early Monday evening. The fire orig
mated in the basement and rear of the
building and is supposed to have been
caused by the overwhelming of the
shafting. The wOrkmen left the shop
at 6 O'Clock and some of them passed
through the basement at the time but
no fire was then visible. An hour lat
er some boys on the other side of the
river saw the light and the alarm was
rung i'm shortly after seven o'clock.
The department was promptly at the
scene of action and repeated alarms
soon brought a large crowd of viii
layers. The building, old and full of
infiammable material, burned rapidly
and made great light. 1t seemed to
the loOkers-On that the long line OF
wooden buildings next to Caldbeck's
shop must surely burn. Only mar
row driveway separated the building
from Pinard's box factory, at the rear
of which and hardly Is feet away from
the burning building, was a shaving
shed filed with dry shavings. Two
sides of the burning building were on
the rivers edge SO that the fremen
could not get directly at the heart of
the fire. On the other hand there was
little wind and that little blew across
the river; the fire was early in the
evening and no time was lost; the two
or three inches of snow that fell in the
forenoon served as complete protec-
ton to the roofs of neighbOring build
ings, and recent thaws and rain falls
had filled the river up and there was
plenty of water. Both pumps at the
pump house were in operation, spout
ing eight two inch streams from four
two-way hydrants on the fire. In
spite of everyt thing it seemed for an
hour that no power could save the fire
from spreading to the buildings OH the
east and to the bridge across the river
on the west, but admirable judgment
was used by the department and the
fire was not only kept within the lin
its of the building but the front and
east walls were left standing.
Too much praise can hardly be be-
slowed on the st. Johnsbury fire de-
portunity offer for the exhibition of
skill in putting out fires. The pumps
did good service and the remark that
"them pumps have paid for themselves
to- night" was heard more than once.
Severe as is the blow to Mr.. Caldbeck
the village is to be congratulated that
the fire was not more disastrous and
that the loss came within $4,000,
when under other circumstances and
with less efficient fire department it
would have reached 100000. The
adjoining property holders showed
their appreciation of the work in their
behalf by furnishing an ample supply
of eatables, drinkables and cigars for
the firemen who had the fire under
control by 8 o'clock and extinguished
by midnight.
Mr.. Caldbeck's insurance amounts to
$4,000 which it is estimated wont cover
one half of his loss. He was carrying
a large stock of manufactured and
rough lumber, mouldings, doors, sash,
ETC., besides window glass, paints, oils,
ETC. There was $500 worth of finished
stuff just ready to go out of the paint
shop and he had in various stages of
complC ton the doors, sash, and finish
for two or three houses he is building.
Considerable of this stuff was saved in
good condition but much of it was
damaged. 1t is found that some of the
machinery will also be saved in shape
to admit of being used again. Mr..
Caldbeck bought this property few
years ago giving a mortgage back in
part payment. He had been success
full and had paid off the mortgage and
owned the property clear. He will
rebuild at once on the old site as he
has built up business too good to
lose.
There were half-dozen men en-
plOyed in the shop. Most of their tools
were lying about on the benches and
were lost. One of the men had his
tool chest filled with tools saved in q
curious manner. 1t was standing on
the floor in the second story. The
floor gave way at one end and at just
the right angle to send the chest slid
ing out of the building and on to the
snow, where it was found uninjured
except that it was pretty thoroughly
soaked with water.
Thanksgiving Services.
Union services Thanksgiving day
were held in the South church. There
was not a large audience present but
the gO-to-meeting people of all the
churches were generally there. The
sermon was given by Rev. E. t. Sand
ford of the Baptist church from the
nation" The effort of the preacher
was to present in an effective manner
| the fact that God,s care of tbis nation